By Cyrus C. Malek

0

Mar 19, 2010 16:52:00

Pique was in high spirits after learning of Barca's next Champions League opponents...

Speaking in a post-training press conference today, Barcelona central defender Gerard Pique commented on his club's tie with Premier League side Arsenal, which was revealed today in the Champions League draw.

"They are a very young team, and one that is very difficult to face. They are fighting for the Premier League title and have opportunies of winning it. It will cost us something to beat them. I prefer teams that attack us and do not think only of defending. It could be a great spectacle for everyone involved," said the Barca defender in comments reported by AS.

Pique revealed that the team watched the Champions League draw in the dressing room and that Thierry Henry, despite his past at Arsenal, did not comment. With respect to Real Madrid players' comments that they would not like to see Barca in the final on their home ptich, Pique understood. "Playing the final in the Bernabeu would be great. The rivalry surely makes them hope we don't win. But it is a great source of pride to be the only Spanish team and hear them say it in the news."

With respect to facing Cesc Fabregas and, possibly, Eto'o in the semi-finals, Pique was dismissive, calling such narratives inventions of the press. "We are focused on our own work.

"We are going to fight for La Liga and the Champions League. Last year people said that it would be impossible to win everything and we did it. It is true that we can get tired, but we can still perform. Against Stuttgart, the team showed ourselves to be playing at a very high level and reminded me of how we played last year. If everything keeps going like this, we will have our opporutunity. We need to find ourselves and demonstrate that we were not as bad as some people believed or wanted. We need to continue winning against Zaragoza."

Finally, Pique spoke of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was a substitute the midweek Champions League fixture. "He is one of the best to have adapted. He brings a lot of skill to the squad." About Messi, Pique added: "When you have the best player in the world playing at his best, it is much easier to win." Pique finished by making a recommendation to Argentina national team coach Diego Maradona: "If I were him, I would call Gaby Milito into the squad for the World Cup."

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